As you might expect, competing at the Rio Olympics was a pretty big deal for Australia’s then 19-year-old pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall – especially as he only qualified three days short of the deadline. But the post-Games reaction he encountered back home had a similar impact upon him.

Steven was born seven and a half weeks premature and spent the first month of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit. His love for sport started at an early age when he commenced playing soccer at the age of 6. He was the team’s top goal scorer each year. Having tried a few seasons of rugby Steven preferred to play soccer and in 2008 and 2009 had been part of the youth development league playing for Hakoah. In June 2009 he was selected to Captain the Australian Junior Macabiah Soccer team that went to the Macabiah games.In 2006 he started High School at Cranbrook and has been breaking school and CAS (Combined Associated Schools) athletics records every year for the past 4 years.

Steven’s major achievement in 2009 was his athletics performances. He broke the 200m and 400m CAS records, the 200m record being the longest standing record held since 1959. He also won the under 16 long jump and placed third in the 100m hurdles. He also backed up in the under16 and Open relay finals.

Steven won the NSW Schools State Championship under 16 400-meter sprint in a time of 48.34 making him the fastest 400 sprinter in all divisions including the open. The highlight of the meet was when he broke the NSW state record for 400-meter hurdles, an event he had never before competed in.

In December 2009 he competed in the Australian All Schools Championships in Hobart and won the 400m under 17 finals, came second in the 400m hurdles final and was part of the NSW 4 x 400 gold medal relay team. He was selected into the Athletics Australia under 19 talent squad in December 2009.

In February 2010 Steven won the NSW under 18 400m and 400m hurdles finals. He competed in the Australian Junior Athletics championships in March and ran under 20 running second in both 400m and 400m Hurdles.

Steven has been selected to represent Australia in the 4 x 400 relay team to compete in the IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships, July 2010 in Canada and also 2011 World Open Championships.

His most recent achievement was an amazing PB of 44.97 for 400m which earned him Olympic final.